August 2017
Dear Staff, Students, Parents, and Friends:
It is with great excitement and pleasure that I greet you as the new Headmaster of Windells Academy! This opportunity to work at Windells and serve an exceptional group of students is a dream come true. I have a passion for working with youth and guiding them to become well rounded individuals who are intrinsically motivated to excel at their highest level.
I believe each student has a gift, and it is our job as educators, coaches, and administrators to create an environment which nurtures and supports that growth, and am inspired to promote student leadership through action based activities, education, and service.
With a strong background in education, fine art, and business, my skill set supports diverse and exceptional students. As an educator and administrator, I served the Columbia Gorge communities of White Salmon and Lyle for the past eleven years. Before that, I served the Hillsboro School District, Hillsboro, OR for five. I hold K/12 Professional Teacher Certifications in Oregon and Washington with with visual arts and special education endorsements, along with my Initial Administrative/Principal Certification.
I am a life-long learner who believes through education and discipline, any dream and goal can be attained. My education includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, PA, a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR, and my Administrative Credentials from Heritage University, Toppenish, WA.
Prior to my education career, I was self-employed for nineteen years as a studio jeweler/artisan. My contemporary sculptural jewelry pushed the boundaries of traditional thought, with exposure in national and international art museums. My production line has been sold to galleries, shops, and museum stores in major metropolitan areas throughout the US. I continue to maintain a working studio.
The Columbia Gorge is also my summer and winter playground. As an avid windsurfer, I work hard to get on the water when it’s windy. When the wind is down, I paddleboard or kayak. Come winter, I head to the mountain and ski. Growing up on the east coast, I started skiing in third grade where I remember skiing in leather boots, and raced on our high school ski team. I am fortunate to continue my educational career in a school that balances health, sportsmanship, and well-being with academics.
Joining a team of passionate individuals who have a record of excellence has been a dream of mine. Working outside the traditional boundaries of a public-school system allows our team to provide opportunities unparalleled to those found on a regional, not to mention on a national level. I am excited and prepared to collaborate with all stakeholders to continue to shape Windells vision for the future.
You will find I am open, loving, and firm. I am a hands-on team player who will stand on the front line and do everything necessary to ensure our students have the best experience available, while also creating a structure where high expectations and excellence are the norm.
Thank you for trusting in our close-knit family to provide the very best for your student. Not only do our students strive to be tremendous athletes, they need an education which prepares them to become life-long, independent learners that supports their vision for the future, while developing true character. Ethics, integrity, and responsibility are core values that are woven throughout their academics and coaching lessons that lay a solid foundation for success.
I promise to hold everyone accountable for their part in educating your student, who becomes our student. I look forward to a partnership with you, as parents and guardians, over the years to come. I am respectfully at your service.
Sincerely yours,
Ms. Ann Scott, Headmaster

For a limited time only: Windells Academy will be offering a FREE Summer 2017 Session at Windells Camp or High Cascade Summer Snowboard Camp with paid deposit on Fall/Spring enrollment for the 2017-2018 academic year.

For more information or to schedule a consultation contact us at info@windellsacademy.com or call our front office at 503.622.8931

Kia Ora from New Zealand!

After a long 27 hours of travel, pit stops in 3 different cities, and a short van ride to the Windells New Zealand campus we made it to our destination. The first day our hostess Sharron took us on a tour of the beautiful Queenstown. We exchanged some money, took a trip to the grocery store, and walked around the historic downtown.

After arriving Friday afternoon and spending Saturday getting settled and adjusted Sunday was our first day at Cadrona! We loaded up the vans and took the very scenic windy road through the Crown Range and up to the resort. The visibility wasn't the greatest on the first day but the stoke was high and we definitely made the best of what we were given. Most of the first day was spent getting familiar with the features and terrain, as well as getting our legs back underneath us.

After that first day the weather has been pretty on point and the park has been prime! Everyone took to their skis quickly and our training sessions have been very productive with people starting right where they left off last season! We have been really focusing on fundamental rail and jump concepts this week, breaking some old habits, and laying a strong foundation on which to build upon.

After our skiing sessions this week we have gotten to enjoy some of New Zealand's attractions! We spent one evening with a visit to SITE Trampoline Gym (http://www.sitetrampoline.co.nz/)and another with a visit to the Pump track at Lake Hayes park where we skated, barbecued and also got to play a fun game of touch rugby!

Archived photos from one of the many Academy skate trips last year.

Photos: Austin Everingham

MT. HOOD, OREGON, August 22, 2016 – We Are Camp, parent company of Windells Academy, Windells Camp, and High Cascade Snowboard Camp, today announced the hiring of Wynn Berns and Tommie Bennett as the program’s head ski and snowboard coaches, respectively. Working with renowned Olympic coach Bud Keene, the trio is focused on growing Windells Academy into the world’s premier ski and snowboard private school.

“A huge part of our efforts to redefine our programming include hiring new coaches of exceptional talent,” said Academy President Chris Hargrave. “I am proud and excited to bring Tommie and Wynn on to our team! These two bring skill, experience, passion, and desire that will raise our Academy to a whole new level. Their professionalism and dedication to results are remarkable. Working together with them to lead our snow programs will ensure that we are able to help athletes of all abilities and desires achieve their dreams!”

Berns, a graduate of Plymouth State University, has nearly a decade’s experience coaching athletes in USASA and USSA regional events to World Cups and the X Games. Wynn most recently served as the Freeski Program Director at the Killington Mountain School and was previously a head coach at Waterville Academy and WVBBTS. “I am excited to have the opportunity to join the Windells Academy staff. Windells has been an industry stronghold for over 25 years and has built the best training environment for any athlete to succeed,” said Berns.

New Windells Academy head snowboard coach Tommie Bennett built his decade-long career as a competitor and private coach to Olympic hopefuls. As well as serving as head coach of Team Summit, a large Colorado based snowboard program. Known as one of the most passionate snowboard coaches in the industry, Tommie thrives on coaching a range of athletes from the newest competitors to Olympic hopefuls. Bennett proclaimed, "I’m proud to be a part of the Windells Academy program and truly believe Windells is the premier academy for snow sports students athletically and academically.”

"I am so stoked to have the opportunity to work with Wynn, Tommie, and all of the Windells Academy athletes!” said Bud Keene, who founded BKPRO and serves as Director of Performance at Windells Academy. “The future is wide open, and with the quality of our head coaches, the vision we all share, and lots of hard work as a team, we will not look back until we are indisputably the best action sports academy in the world!”

About Windells Academy

Nestled below snowy Mt. Hood, Oregon, Windells Academy birthed in 2009 from the infamous Windells and High Cascade Snowboard Camps, world leaders in on and off-snow experiences since 1989. An accredited 7-12 private school with notable alumni such as Olympic medalist Nick Goepper, the mission of Windells Academy is to educate the whole person through four life-defining pillars: academics, athletics, character, and citizenry.

With the 2016 school year a wrap, we want to share what we are working on for next year. Continuing on our quest to educate the whole person, we are filling the school year calendar with a curated mix of academic, athletic, community, cultural, and character-building opportunities. We’re excited about these rich opportunities and believe you will be too.
September 9, 2016 kicks off our Week of Welcome when students, families, faculty, and staff will get to know each other, finalize individual student goals, explore the region, and meet the Academy’s newest family member, Olympic gold medal coach, Bud Keene. This partnership with BK PRO has truly set up our snow students to train at the highest levels while being surrounded by a group of focused athletes, all pushing themselves with Bud Keene’s careful eye and coaching style driving them forward.
Life changing adventures begin at the end of September when skiers, snowboarders and coaching staff head off to New Zealand for three weeks with Bud Keene to train and experience the fascinating Kiwi and Maori cultures. Once back in the Northern Hemisphere, ski & snowboard students will ride a mix of Mt. Hood with early season travel to pristine park resorts such as Park City, UT and Breckenridge, CO to train with their coaches and Bud Keene at the first BK PRO Progression Camp of the U.S. season.
Following the holidays during winter semester, skiers and snowboarders will attend competitions and ride la nina’s ample powder throughout renowned Northwest resorts such as Whistler / Blackcomb, Mt. Baker,Steven’s Pass, and Crystal Mountain. Depending on event schedules and weather, the snow crew will be headed to Tahoe and Mammoth for more powder and park riding then wrapping up the season in Colorado for Nationals and more training.
Our skateboard students will also have tremendous travel itinerary beginning with our Second Annual “Skating the National Parks” Camping tour this fall which includes stops at Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, and Moab. Then when the weather turns colder, we’ll be touring the vast Southwest of the United States visiting notorious and exclusive skate spots in places like Phoenix, Houston, San Diego, Los Angeles,or San Francisco. During spring semester our skateboarders will Start their semester off in New Zealand and skateboard in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Academics are integrated throughout all student travel. While at home and travelling students will be exposed to companies as diverse as Boeing and K2, tour myriad colleges and universities, and experience care and compassion through requisite volunteer opportunities. Windells Academy will also be hosting a series of workshops including SAT and ACT prep, college application workshops, as well as a series of creative classes including photography, videography, and graphic design.
It’s shaping up to be a tremendous year of life changing experiences for our students! We look forward to reconnecting with our returning students and warmly welcoming our first time students. From fresh hot breakfast each morning to jumping on trampolines and foam pits at night, our aim is to ensure our family is cared for, inspired, and prepared for the future.
We are actively accepting applications for enrollment and scholarships now. Contact us soon as space is limited.

The Windells Academy students are all heading out this weekend for Northern California. The skiers and snowboarders are taking advantage of our dear friend, El Niño, and will be in Tahoe for ten days. Tahoe is having the best season in years and the storms just keep rolling in. The Academy will be skiing and riding at Northstar, Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Sierra. We would be happy with just one of those resorts, but why not hit them all? We are so lucky, but we are sure to take full advantage of our blessings. We are so thankful for every rail, pillow line, and powder slash we have had this season, and they just keep coming! So far we have ridden in New Zealand, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, and now we are heading down to ski and ride in California and Nevada.

The skateboarders are also heading to Northern California where the concrete waves break 24/7. We will head down to Eugene, through the Redwoods to Sacramento and finally to the city by the bay touring in the van skating parks and street. Sacramento and San Fransisco are meccas for skateboarding with dozens of parks collectively and a number of legendary street spots. San Fransisco is such a vibrant city full of hill bombs, good food, and amazing sights to see.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Windells Academy Nor Cal Tour. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and keep checking back for updates because we are going places!

This semester, Adidas invited the Academy to come by and visit their Headquarters in Portland. The students got a sneak peek at their product for the summer of 2017. They even got to give their opinions on their upcoming skateboard clothing line. Many of them were pretty excited about the new slip on Adidas coming out in May. Adidas is always a good time, they even gave everyone free socks and stickers! After the focus group we all went down to skate their private skate park that is located in their parking garage, where they have a mini bowl and some street features. Lastly the students got to shop the employee store and received 50% off of their purchases.

Extreme snow fall combined with school is bad for student's health and motivation in class.
MT. HOOD- Windells Academy cancels school on Thursday, December 17 due to Timberline receiving 6" overnight and to motivate students as the semester comes to a close tomorrow.
Academy President, Chris Hargrave said, "When it snows it brings the child out in all of us. We can't miss an unprecedented pow event on our home mountain. This feeds all of our souls. Long live the Windells Academy snow day!"
After working diligently all semester the students all deserved to have a snow day before heading home for the holiday break. The students just got back from an amazing trip to Colorado, but nothing is more fun than coming back to Oregon and being greeted with fresh snow and no crowds at Timberline. Every run today was full of hooting, hollering, blasting hips, and slashing chowder!
Windells Academy continues to be the "funnest" place on earth and the best school to attend to live, learn, and ride.
Disclaimer: While school was cancelled due to snow on the mountain, there is no evidence that supports the claim that lots of powder combined with school is bad for student's health. This is all for fun!!
Katie

In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, the Windells Academy and staff started off the weekend by giving to those less fortunate. By request of some of the students, we began gathering canned goods and other non-perishable items and spent Thanksgiving morning traveling into nearby town of Gresham to drop off our items at a local food drop-off. The students really took initiative on this project. It was great to see the compassion they had for others!
With perfect blue skies and crisp cold air, we continued on with the day by heading into Sandy where we all participated in a Thanksgiving game of flag Football! With a free lunch to Chipotle
on the line, the two teams battled against each other in a fun competitive game.
Upon coming back to campus, we all gathered around a table garnished in turkey, candied yams, asparagus, and many other delicious Thanksgiving classics, all prepared by chef Steve and Austin. After a moment of silence to give thanks, we all happily ate some pumpkin and pecan pie, along with other tasty deserts! We finished off the evening by heading to the cinemas to watch a movie of the students’ choice.
Friday morning was fun-filled with snowboarding and skateboarding, complimented by a relaxing evening where we took the students to watch the sunset over Mount Tabor and did some early Christmas shopping. Trying to keep up the holiday cheer, the following day we made our way to a U-Cut Christmas tree farm where we all trudged in the mud to find the perfect tree. Some of the students have never cut down a Christmas tree, so many of them took a turn with the saw and took turns to cut down the tree themselves!
With the snowboard trip to Utah/Colorado, and the skateboard trip to Arizona around the corner, we wanted to have a weekend of good cheer and togetherness before we separate for a few weeks. While most of us were not able to go home for the Holiday, it was great to be able to spend time with each other doing the things we love and preparing for the exciting weeks to come. I know the students are looking forward to their end of semester trips, while also looking forward to going home for the Holiday!
Hayley